Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a giant sci-fi and fantasy nerd, especially with an element of horror, and you can see that in my writing. I have two books under my belt now—an anthology of poetry and short stories, and the first book in a paranormal contemporary fantasy series for new adults. Beyond that, I also love to draw, sing, compose music, write lyrics, play the bass (and I’m learning violin!), do a bit of photography and graphic design…I wear way too many hats, but I’m OK with that.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
INTO THE FORGOTTEN FOREST is a book I’d been working on for a long time. I think what originally inspired it was the fact that some of my favorite series (both books and TV) have both vampires and werewolves, but the main focus is usually the former. I wanted to write something where the main character isn’t just a human girl falling in love with a vampire. I wanted a story where the main character has to navigate turning into a monster, herself, while also maintaining her life in the “real world.” I also wanted romance to play a smaller part, so the first book in the series is more focused on family and friends, and the duality of the main character’s own nature.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I absolutely have to be listening to music to write. It fuels me. If I’m sitting in front of a blank page, and there aren’t tunes blasting into my skull, I’ll just be staring at it, gathering cobwebs.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Oh, the list is long! Susan Cooper, for sure. Her series, THE DARK IS RISING SEQUENCE, is my favorite of all time. I also turn to Ray Bradbury’s THE HALLOWEEN TREE and Clive Barker’s THE THIEF OF ALWAYS and his ABARAT SERIES when I have writer’s block. Terry Brooks and the entire SHANNARAverse is also a huge influence. And I reread Holly Black and Melissa Marr a lot! On top of all of that, I’ve always loved mythology, lore, and legends from all over. Stephen King, Anne Rice, C.S. Lewis, Lewis Carroll, L. Frank Baum, and Orson Scott Card are a few more that grace my bookshelves.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently eleven chapters into outlining book two of THE OUTCROSSED SERIES—UNDER THE WOLF MOON, and about half that much into outlining the first book in another series about a college for magic.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m on Twitter a lot, so that seems to be where I promote things the most! But I’m working on branching out. And I’m always open to suggestions!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Absolutely! Keep on going. You got this. Whether you plan to go Indie or Traditional is completely up to you, and don’t let naysayers discourage you from either. Your first draft will always be horrible, but that’s where the magic of revising and editing comes in. It’s hard work, but it’s so worth it!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
That kindness should never be mistaken for weakness.
What are you reading now?
I just finally started in on Holly Black’s THE CRUEL PRINCE. No idea why it took me this long to pick it up!
What’s next for you as a writer?
So much! Hahaha. I’m hoping to get UNDER THE WOLF MOON out by January. After that, the first book in my magic series—WYLDE & STRANGE. I have another…8 series’ in the works, I think? There are so many, I often lose track. But, without spoilers, there’ll be an Arthurian retelling, a secret society, a dystopian underground society, space travel, time travel, some fairy tale retellings, and a prequel series to THE OUTCROSSED that takes place in the 1990s.
What is your favorite book of all time?
Can I just choose all five books in Susan Cooper’s THE DARK IS RISING SEQUENCE?
Author Websites and Profiles
River J. Hopkins Website
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